FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

"Downtown by history and by choice"

FPC Bi-Weekly Newsletter

February 21, 2023 Issue 4

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Letter from Pastor/Head of Staff

Dear friends,

First Presbyterian Church was established over 150 years ago. Its members are people of faith who believe God has called us to be bearers of peace, love, and hope to the world through the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Over the years, they have also been people of vision who have charted a course for the church to be a place of worship and active love in the world for decades and decades. This kind of vision is evident in all who pray, work, and plan for the future mission and ministry of FPC. Click here to read the rest of Mindy's letter.

Condolences: The love and concern of the congregation are extended to:

BJ Morton and family on the death of our dear member and her husband, Parker Morton on February 15.. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held here at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 24. The family will greet members and friends at 10:30 a.m. in the foyer. Click here for obituary.
Omar Guess and family on the death of his grandmother. Mable Guess died Thursday, February 16 at the age of 98 in Raleigh.

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CONCERNS:

David Verner, preparing for surgery

Duke Hospital: Patrick Dobson, son of Linda Dobson, brother of Nancy Kost, and uncle of Jack Kost

Paul Cornsweet Susan Cyr Joe Harvard Kerry Holbrook

Lee House George Kafula Mitzi Lesher-Thomas Franzi Rokoske

Andy Widmark Carol Wills

Care Communities

Croasdaile Pavilion: Dub Gulley

Dubose Center at The Cedars, Chapel Hill: Arthur Clark

Durham Ridge Assisted Living: Phillip Herndon

Hillcrest Convalescent: Julian Boswell, Maxie Honeycutt, Jim Wolfe

Family and Friends of the Congregation

Blaine Ballantyne, friend of Jane Brown

Brooke, roommate of Heidi Biermann

Kim Cummings, father of Drew Cummings

Father of Andres, friend of the congregation

Grace, Chris James’ great-niece

Pam Hanson, mother of Laura Hanson

Bob Lucas, friend of Fred and Jo Ann Moore

Jim Vacca, father of Jamie Chambliss

John Wakefield, cousin of Vernon Neece

As of February

Capital Campaign:

154 Pledges = $ 2,789,968.99

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2023 Pledge Update

As of 2/20/2023

Pledges 147

Pledged Amount $921,233.50

Percentage of Goal 82.96%

Pledge Goal $1,115,712.98

Needed $194,479.48

From the Nominating Committee

The following persons were elected

at the congregational meeting

held Sunday, February 19, 2023

to serve as officers.

Click here to view profiles

Nominees for Ruling Elder – Class of 2026

Jon Abels Jennie Alwood Gordon Campbell

Conrad Carter Amy Dillon Alice Raney

Katharine Whitmore

Nominees for Deacon – Class of 2026

Rachel Bethune Andy Henry Kathryn Murchison

Mary Ashley Rose Eric Wiebe

Nominees for Deacon – Class of 2024

Theodora (Teddie) Brown

Elizabeth Jones

Nominees to Nominating Committee 2023-2024 (At-large)

Tom Bacon Bert Clere

Brent Curtis Marie Sappenfield

Submitted by Mary Ann Compton, Chair

WORSHIP

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

12 Noon Imposition of Ashes Service in the memorial Garden (No communion service)

6:00 PM Evening worship with message by Amy Heit, imposition of ashes and communion

Light Supper follows the evening worship.

For those over age 12, a $7.00 donation is encouraged to help cover the cost of the meal. Cash, check, or credit card accepted at the door.

We are also collecting nonperishable food donations for Iglesia Emanuel's food pantry. While all food donations and canned goods are appreciated, shelf-stable protein sources are needed, in particular (such as canned tuna or chicken). There will be boxes in the foyer for your donations.

If you would like to help with setup before the meal or cleanup after the meal, click here.

For more information contact Ashley Swavely or Jane Wettach..

Sunday, February 26, 2023

First Sunday in Lent

Worship at 11:00 a.m.

Rebecca Todd Peters, preaching

Read about Peters here.

Worship in-person in the sanctuary

or watch live via FPC's YouTube channel

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Second Sunday in Lent

Worship and Communion at 11:00 a.m.

Worship in-person in the sanctuary

or watch live via FPC's YouTube channel

CHILDREN'S CORNER

Signup to receive Children's Weekly news

Faith Formation classes for children are held Sundays on the second floor

of the education building from 9:45-10:45 a.m. (except on 5th Sundays).

All children are welcome.

CHILDREN'S SUMMER TRIP

For parents of kids who will have completed 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, we are introducing a summer trip! The trip is called Passport kids, and more info is available here. The dates that we will be going are July 3-6, and the location is Montreat Conference Center. Please email Lenore (l.champion@firstpres-durham.org) with questions.

Here is the link to the website:

https://passportcamps.org/kids-camps/

YOUTH CORNER

ADULT FAITH FORMATION CLASSES

Faith and Community Class

Sunday, February 26

Join us from 9:45-10:45 a.m. in Watts-Hill Hall

in a conversation on reproductive justice.

This is part 2 of the 2 part series.

LECTIONARY CLASS

Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m. (year-round)

Join us each Sunday for discussion, as we meet both online and in person in the Robert Daye Parlor. The class will begin at 9:45, preceded at 9:35 by sharing of news and concerns, and will end at 10:45.

On February 26: Is it sinful to seek knowledge? Is it sinful to seek the means to feed the hungry? Is it sinful to act with faith and confidence in God’s protection? How easily temptation twists our noble goals into greed and selfish ambition!

On March 5: How does faith work, and what gives belief its power? Why does someone leave his family and travel to a far country, based only on belief in a promise? How can eternal life come simply from belief?

To join remotely via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89195306050

For phone access (audio only), call 253-215-8782.)

If you need a copy of the handout of scripture readings, contact David Smith.

JOURNEYS CLASS

Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m. in the Wilson Parlor

February 26: John 20 – 21.

Remember that class begins at 9:45 a.m. sharp, and let us know if you want to join calls via Zoom before Sunday. Contact Andy Henry (919-599-9405) if you have questions about class content.

MnMs (MEANING IN THE MIDDLE) FELLOWSHIP

Join us in-person (9:45 AM), second floor CE Building or watch with the Zoom group (8:00 PM, link sent on Sunday). Thanks in advance to our leaders! And as usual, new faces are always welcome. If you have not already signed up to lead two weeks this semester, please do so here.

SUNDAY POTLUCK Rescheduled

MnMs Fellowship will hold a Sunday Potluck on March 5 at 4:30 p.m. at the home of Lucie and Wayne House (615 Churchill Dr, Chapel Hill), Please bring a side dish to share. They will provide the main dish. Let them know you plan to attend. RSVP.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

EVENT POSTPONED

The Meet-N-Greet with Esther and the LGBTQ+ community REMAINS POSTPONED. A new date to be announced. Stay tuned.

FEBRUARY POPUP

February 25 at 1:00 p.m. - Ellie Meade will lead a tour of the historic woodlands (estate) of Montrose Gardens in Hillsborough.

Please SIGNUP if you and your household wish to participate.

More details can be found in the Location section of the signup.

Tuesdays at 6:15 P.M. via Zoom

Wednesdays at 11:00 A.M. via Zoom

Discussion Schedule

February 21/22 - chapters 1-2

February 28/March 1 - chapters 3-5

March 7/8 - chapters 6-7

March 14/15 - chapters 8-9

March 21/22 - chapters 10-11

March 28/29 - chapter 12 and epilogue

April 4 – Holy week – no meeting

April 11 – Easter week – no meeting

See Mindy Douglas on how to obtain a copy of the book.

Join the Zoom Meeting

ttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/82972133680?pwd=cktmdUNZdXRSZ09NUkxhZklDTlkzQT09

SAVE THESE DATES!

FIRST FRIENDS

March 12 - meet at 2:00 p.m.

Hike from Brumley North, Hillsborough

(Rain date: March 19)

Eric Weibe and Cynthia Shimer will coordinate the hike.

April 15 - 6:00 p.m.

Potluck at the home of Jane Wettach and Paul Baldasare

More details forthcoming

THINGS THAT MATTER

BOOK GROUP

March 14, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Watts-Hill Hall

Celia Dickerson will lead a discussion of "Who Wrote the Bible?" by Richard Elliott Friedman. Marcia Lorimer will be the hostess.

Day Timers’ Luncheon

Tuesday, February 28 at 11:30 a.m.

Bennett Pointe Grill

4625 Hillsborough Rd, Durham

Hosted by Mickey Velkey

RSVP to Mickey by February 26:

Marilyn.velkey@usa.net

919.864.9823

601.750.3619 cell

FPC MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Would you like to serve communion during worship? We have space for volunteers (serving communion is not limited to elders and deacons!). You are welcome to sign up for future serving opportunities using this link.

The up-coming dates include:

February 22 (Tomorrow - Ash Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.)

March 5

April 6, 9

May 7, 28

June 4.

If you are interested, but would like to have more information or instruction before volunteering, please contact Mary Ann Compton.

USHERS NEEDED

If you have served as an usher in the past or have never served but feel this is something you can do, please contact Esther Hethcox to have your name added to the current rotation. While most ushers are members of the Diaconate, you do not have to be a deacon to serve as an usher. In addition, spouses and partners, children and youth can serve alongside family members. We are especially looking for persons who can serve on a regular basis or as a sub on short notice.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to serve as part of our ushers ministry.

SERVICE AND MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

Growing thru Grief offers continuing education and support to those grieving the loss of a loved one. We meet at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1200 West Cornwallis in Durham each Tuesday, with registration starting at 4:00 p.m. First time attendees must show proof of Covid vaccination and booster(s). Currently, masking is encouraged. We ask people to come at 4:00 p.m.; the program begins at 4:30 p.m., and all will end by 6:00 p.m. Please contact admin@growingthrugrief.org if you have any questions.

February 28 “Beyond Getting Over It: On the Myth of Grief Recovery” with Aaron Klink

CREATION CORNER

Interfaith Creation Care of the Triangle and the FPC Creation Care Committee invite you to a Greener Lent by adopting a plant rich diet! Click here to learn more about observing a greener Lent.

The Food Pantry at Iglesia Emanuel is still going strong! We continue to serve an average of 600 families a week with abundant amounts of nutritious food. As we approach our 3rd anniversary of addressing the food security needs of our community, we give thanks for all the amazing support from our generous and energetic church family. Here is how to sign up to be part of this wonderful ministry:

To volunteer in person for a 2-hour shift, click https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f48aaad23a6fa7-iglesia
To bag rice and beans from home, or donate shelf-stable food, click here.
To make a financial donation, go to emanueldurham.org and click on Donate. Be sure to indicate that your donation is for the Food Pantry.
Mail a check to Iglesia Emanuel, 2504 N Roxboro, Durham 27704. Indicate “Food Pantry” on the memo line of the check.